IT Graduate Scheme FAQs

1. What are the minimum educational requirements?

• Have or expect to have a 2:1 degree or MSc qualification
• Have 220 UCAS Points
• Have the equivalent of a ‘B’ grade or above in GCSE English and Maths

2. Do I need a work permit to apply?
Yes, you must be eligible to work in the UK.

3. I don’t have an IT background, can I still apply?
You must have either a relevant degree or have an active interest
in IT.

4. Do I need work experience?
Relevant work experience is beneficial in IT and/or Insurance; however it is not essential that you have completed a placement as part of your degree.

5. Do I need a background in Insurance?
Although having a background in insurance would be beneficial, it is not necessary as this will be acquired through your placements, your induction week and studying for a CII (Chartered Insurance Institute) qualification.

6. What is included in the application process?
The application process consists of an online application form, a telephone interview, online aptitude tests and an assessment centre with various exercises.

7. What can I expect during the telephone interview?
The interview will last approximately 40 minutes and will consist of general questions and competency based questions.

8. What happens at the assessment centre?
The assessment centre consists of a number of exercises that will assess your abilities against a set of competencies. The exercises include a role play, case study, presentation and an interview.

9. Do I need to prepare anything specific for the assessment centre?
You should prepare for the assessment centre as you would any other assessment centre; you do not need to prepare anything specific for any of the activities as all relevant information will be provided to you on the day.

10. How long will it take, following the assessment centre, to find out if I have been successful?
If you are successful we will contact you within five working days of your assessment centre.

11. When will the IT Trainee Scheme start?
The scheme usually starts at the end of September.

12. What help do you provide for successful applicants that need to relocate to the Guildford area?
The company currently provides a location allowance for all employees working at Guildford Head Office. We will also put you in contact with current graduates who have relocated and are able to help you with local information, estate agents etc.

13. If I was a successful applicant, what support will I be given? You will have a number of contacts that are both within and outside of your normal working team. Each graduate will be assigned a mentor, who is usually a senior manager not involved with your daily work. They will be available to provide guidance and advice on your career development and progression. During the two years, you will have regular meetings with your Senior IT manager as well as your HR contact. The current IT graduates are also available to provide support and guidance.

14. What is the structure of the scheme?
The scheme consists of several placements lasting 3-9 months. This allows you to spend time in different areas of IT at Allianz on projects of varying sizes and each placement will offer you varying experiences.

15. Is the job technical?
Throughout the scheme, you have the opportunity to spend time in each of the three main areas of IT at Allianz; Business Analysis, Technical, and Project Management. You will develop your skills and knowledge during your respective placements through on the job training and attending relevant training courses. At the end of the scheme, you are able to specialise and pursue one of these 3 professional development streams.

16. Where will the placements be located?
You will be primarily based within Head Office in Guildford. A 3-6 month secondment to our offices at Liphook or Brentford can be expected. In your second year of the scheme, there may be an opportunity for you to spend a short period at our offices in India where the majority of our development occurs. However, this depends on the business needs at that time.

17. What are the different placements likely to involve?
The nature of the placements will vary for each project. However, we will try to ensure that you receive a broad experience of the roles that exist within IT.

18. What type of development do you offer?

• At the beginning of the scheme, the IT graduates will join with the other business graduates to spend a week at our partner training centre in Horsley, Surrey, for an introduction to insurance and to the company. The development each IT graduate undertakes is related to the job roles and projects that they undertake throughout the two years.
• The IT graduates are expected to achieve the Diploma in Insurance, a professional qualification offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute. The type of training undertaken will be varied and will include workshops, one to one training and will also include an element of self study.
• IT has a Professional Development Framework which provides a career path for the different IT professions e.g. Business Analysis, Project Management, Technical.
• During the IT graduate scheme you will enjoy placements in each of these professions. The framework includes the various qualifications and training required to enable you to progress in your career.

19. How long will it take to gain a professional qualification?
As an IT graduate you need to undertake an Insurance Professional Qualification; the Diploma in Insurance. You can study towards the qualification at your own pace. As the exams are run twice a year you should complete the Diploma whilst on the graduate scheme.

20. What salary do you offer?
We offer a competitive salary which is regularly benchmarked against our competitors. The salary is also reviewed at six month intervals throughout the scheme. We also offer a location allowance (for employees working in Guildford).

21. What benefits do you offer?
The company has recently reviewed its benefits package and has introduced an extensive flexible benefits scheme. Benefits available include:

• Money purchase pension
• Share save option
• Option to buy or sell holidays
• Subsidised leisure centre and gym membership
• Discounted insurance products
• Discounted Bupa Health Care Scheme
• Discounted Dental Plan Scheme
• Discount ‘Spreeflex’ card for a wide variety of companies including retail, leisure and motor.
• Give As You Earn scheme allowing you to donate a monthly contribution to a charity of your choice